ThoughtWare Australia Pty Limited v IonMy Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 906

Federal Court of Australia

ThoughtWare Australia Pty Limited v IonMy Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 906 File number: QUD 107 of 2023

Judgment of: DERRINGTON J

Date of judgment: 4 August 2023

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – summary judgment – where question of construction is involved – where some complexity should not prevent summary judgment

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth)

Cases cited: AGL Victoria Pty Ltd v SPI Networks (Gas) Pty Ltd (formerly TXU Networks (Gas) Pty Ltd) [2006] VSCA 173 Australian Vintage Ltd v Belvino Investments No 2 Pty Ltd (2015) 90 NSWLR 367 Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation v Onslow Salt Pty Ltd (No 2) [2018] FCA 978 Canaipa Developments Pty Ltd v TLC Jones Pty Ltd [2021] QSC 237 Caterpillar Inc v Sun Forward Pty Ltd (1996) 36 IPR 411 Chandrasekaran v Commonwealth of Australia (No 3) [2020] FCA 1629 Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (1982) 149 CLR 337 Comandate Marine Corp v Pan Australia Shipping Pty Ltd (2006) 157 FCR 45 Cook Inc v World Medical Manufacturing Corp (2003) 58 IPR 193 Crocker v Toys 'R' Us (Australia) Pty Ltd (No 3) [2015] FCA 728 Electricity Generation Corporation v Woodside Energy Ltd (2014) 251 CLR 640 Francis Travel Marketing Pty Ltd v Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd (1996) 39 NSWLR 160 Galileo Miranda Nominee Pty Ltd v Duffy Kennedy Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 1157 Hastie Group Limited (in liq) v Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd (Formerly Brookfield Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd) (No 3) [2022] FCA 1280 Holt v Cox (1997) 23 ACSR 590 Illawarra Community Housing Trust Ltd v MP Park Lane Pty Ltd [2020] NSWSC 751 Jefferson Ford Pty Ltd v Ford Motor Company of Australia Ltd (2008) 167 FCR 372 John Nelson Developments Pty Ltd v Focus National Developments Pty Ltd [2010] NSWSC 150 Jones v Sherwood Computer Services plc [1992] 1 WLR 277 Kanivah Holdings Pty Ltd v Holdsworth Properties Pty Ltd (2002) 11 BPR 20,201 Kowalski v MMAL Staff Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (2009) 178 FCR 401 L'Estrange v F Graucob Ltd [1934] 2 KB 394 Lainson Holdings Pty Ltd v Duffy Kennedy Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 576 Legal & General Life of Australia Ltd v A Hudson Pty Ltd (1985) 1 NSWLR 314 Lepcanfin Pty Ltd v Lepfin Pty Ltd (2020) 102 NSWLR 627 Lipman Pty Ltd v Emergency Services Superannuation Board [2011] NSWCA 163 Mercury Communications Ltd v Director General of Telecommunications [1996] 1 WLR 48 Peter Kent Development Pty Ltd v ANZ Banking Group Ltd (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Hunt J, 6 May 1980) Polar Aviation Pty Ltd v Civil Aviation Safety Authority (No 4) (2011) 203 FCR 293 Prior v South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council Aboriginal Corporation [2020] FCA 808 Rinehart v Welker (2012) 95 NSWLR 221 Sino Iron Pty Ltd v Mineralogy Pty Ltd (2019) 55 WAR 89 SK Foods LP v SK Foods Australia Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 3) (2013) 214 FCR 543 Spencer v Commonwealth (2010) 241 CLR 118 Tectran Co Pty Ltd v Raybos Australia Pty Ltd (Supreme Court of New South Wales, Yeldham J, 12 August 1982) Theseus Exploration NL v Foyster (1972) 126 CLR 507 Thomas v Balanced Securities Ltd [2012] 2 Qd R 482 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd (2004) 219 CLR 165 Westport Insurance Corporation v Gordian Runoff Ltd (2011) 244 CLR 239 White Industries Aust Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (2007) 160 FCR 298 Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal Pty Ltd v Monadelphous [2015] QSC 309 WMC Resources Ltd v Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd (1999) 20 WAR 489 Zhu v Treasurer (NSW) (2004) 218 CLR 530